Hues10

Woah! You all know what is coming. Went to go out to dinner last night in Lexi, I push the button to start, and the car lights up like a Christmas tree, my wife says it was making weird noises outside the car, but of course, inside the well insulated car, I only heard a couple of whirring noises. The Navigation screen started blinking like aliens had come down to earth and were messing with the electrical grid. It is times like these I am glad that I am stupid enough to have two cars. Yes the wife has her own car too, so technically three cars. Anyway, the OEM battery was close to 8 yrs. old, but you all were correct, there was no warning at all. Like none. I am just going to go with the OEM though. Not like I need it fixed this weekend if they are not in stock. Need something to do anyway.

ChronoR

That's why I have a lithium ion jump starter. Get my car started, get home and plug it into the battery tender.

Hues10

So I tested the voltage on the 12V battery and it read 9.5. That explains the starting problem. Put my battery tender on it, and it did get up to 12.5 when I disconnected, so at least it takes a charge. In the meantime, I made an appointment at Lexus for a new battery for this Thursday. I know it is going to cost approx. $400, but the car is still CPO until middle of May, and I don't want any problems in case something does happen. Plus, the yellow top batteries I see are over $250, so it really isn't that much more, and it is OEM. Raining buckets in Florida, so haven't checked to see voltage drop overnight, or tried to start her yet. Hopefully, it is just the battery. Sounds like it given it is the OEM and build date was 11/2012. Stay tuned....

703

Not sure why you’d leave the battery in such a state where you can’t start the car.

all it takes is a multimeter to measure its resting voltage every couple of months to see if it drops below 12v. If so then it’s time for a replacement.

Hues10

This was the first time the car did not start. It had been sitting only about four days since last being used. I have gone over a week without driving her before with no apparent problems. The good news is the car has started twice and run twice since Sunday after I charged the battery. Still getting a new one put in tomorrow since the OEM one was from November 2012 (first service record on Lexus drivers). If the replacement battery lasts eight years like the original, I will get my money’s worth. Or I won’t be around and it will be Peasodos’ problem to worry about since he is going to be opening his own Lexus upgrade shop.

Hues10

So the end of the story is that the whole battery replacement ordeal cost me $450 at the Lexus dealer. The battery itself I could have ordered for like $320 plus tax I think, so put it at $350. So yes, I paid $100 for install basically. The coffee and packaged snacks were not that good. On the other hand, I have literally paid jack squat on the other cars I own as one, they have been super reliable, and two, I can do most anything maintenance related on my own. Not hard to change oil and other fluids, filters and windshield wipers are a snap. Even normal battery replacements for $90 every three to four years. If things are not broke, don't pay to have the fixed is my motto. I do not do those Dealer service 15k, 30k, etc. checks for like $400. Not that there is anything wrong with anyone else paying for them. I am a curious mechanic at heart. Ok,enough said. Hope everyone is enjoying their hybrid GS as we are far and few between.

703

Checking battery performance is as routine as checking tire pressure for me, regardless of the age of the battery. This is to ensure there is no surprises when starting and with the hybrid insufficient aux battery voltage can throw all sorts of error codes by the 14+ ECU's.

Hues10

Not a bad idea to check the voltage on a regular basis, especially if I am leaving the car sit for stretches of time. Plus, I never get to use my handy dandy voltmeter. Thanks for listening to my boring battery story. Other than that, the seatbelt tensioner, and the sunroof seal, the car is very nice to drive. I actually like the little joystick thing too. Much better than my Acura RDX spin dial thing and monochrome screen.

Im2bz2p345

Thanks for the updates along the way @Hues10. I am surprised by the amount of labor - of course, they have to get reimbursed for all of those cups of coffee, snacks, and "extras" you get at the stealership I'm surprised you paid to have them change it, especially with your level of experience in maintenance. It's a super quick job if you have the battery. Anyway, glad you're back to rollin' on the streets.

~ Im2bz2p345

Fishman007

I used a group 35 X2 AGM battery and the fit was nearly perfect. I had to remove some plastic from the foot of the battery to make it fit in the factory battery housing. I did this with a cutting wheel on a Dremel, careful not to grind into the housing. I left half of the material on the foot and it worked well. Otherwise a clean and easy install! 4 year warranty and estimated battery life is 8-10 years.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...wer/sli35agmdp